Last September, the ground shifted under the small town of Tonganoxie, Kansas, about 35 miles due west of Kansas City.
When word got out that Tyson Foods, Inc. was ready to announce it would soon break ground just outside town on a $320 million poultry complex — a processing plant, hatchery and feed mill — opponents organized immediately.
Allies multiplied exponentially as social media amplified their concerns. Within a stunning two weeks, Tyson had announced it was putting its plan “on hold.” But nine months later, residents are still grappling with some of questions the explosive controversy revealed. Freelance writer Anne Brockhoff had heard that Tyson officials were talking about how the new plant would make Tonganoxie the center of the Tyson universe.
“(That) statement says ‘We’re rebranding your community,’” she said.
Our makeshift circle of couches and chairs included a part-time farmer, a construction project manager, a nurse, an academic coach and a florist.
The notion of Tonganoxie’s “brand” came up a lot; that question of what Tonganoxie is, and what it wants to be.
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